His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to be President of Doha 2020 Olympic Bid

Doha, Qatar 3 October: Qatar’s Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was today announced as President of Doha 2020, the organisation bidding to stage the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Doha. H.H. Sheikh Tamim has considerable experience in sport. He has been a member of the International Olympic Committee and the Sport for All Commission since 2003, is President of the Qatar National Olympic Committee, and was Chairman of the 2006 Asian Games, Doha – the first Asian Games where all 45 nations of the Olympic Council of Asia competed. He was also recently confirmed as President of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee.

H.H. Sheikh Tamim holds a number of significant political positions within Qatar, including Chairman of the Supreme Education Council, President of the Supreme Council of Health and is Chairman of the Urban Planning and Development Authority. H.H. Sheikh Tamim is also actively engaged in regional diplomacy and co-chaired, with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, the Libya Contact Group hosted in Doha earlier this year.

Commenting on the IOC’s date flexibility, H.H. Sheikh Tamim said: "I am very happy with the decision of the IOC executive body; this removes the climate barrier for nations hoping to one day host the Olympic Games, be it Winter or Summer. We have listened and learned following our previous bid and a significant amount of work has taken place to develop hosting plans that will ensure ideal conditions for athletes, fans and officials. Our aim is to deliver a great Games, new opportunities for Olympic sports and a legacy strategy that will have a profound impact not just within Qatar, but right across the Middle East and beyond.

"The exciting opportunity that lies before us is to demonstrate to the IOC that Doha as a potential Host City offers something that is unique, spectacular and compelling for the whole Olympic Movement. This is about sport, lifestyle, the potential for change and building a new understanding in the region and among the wider international community. I and my bid team will work tirelessly to deliver those goals as we hope to realise an historic moment for the IOC and the Middle East in September 2013."

Qatar is also preparing to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup. Current plans are underway; and the executive operations are being led by H.H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leadership role played by the Heir Apparent in both projects will ensure a fully co-ordinated approach to planning, implementation and the efficient use of resources.

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